The very first outing of the Indomitable Lions was marred by a defeat from Japan 0-1. Paul Le Guen’s selection had problem of positioning, lack of creativity, and inspiration. It rained severely after the match in the nations capital Yaounde as all bars, streets and homes went cold. This is how I evaluate some players:
SAMUEL ETO’O ”possesed the ball 7 times only”
Cameroonians were expecting the captain of the national team to be more offensive and create as many opportunities as possible for goals or score goals as he used to do for Cameroon and his clubs but we rather saw him playing at the right flank, defending and retreating.The only offensive move he perpetuated was at the 35th minute when he dribbled passed two Japanese defenders and passed the ball to Choupo who shot wide. He did not succeed in shooting any ball intended to score a goal.
JOEL MATIP
The young Germano-Cameroonian did the best he could at the mid-field to circulate the ball and make good passes. He was also very defensive but sometimes fragile. He had a problem of being too slow in his retreat and offensiveness. We donot understand why he was replaced by Le Guen for Achille Emana at the 64th minute when we expected Alex Song who is however preferable. Matip’s evauation is however encouraging for the future.
ASSOU EKOTTO
Assou Ekoto is always at his very best defending the colours of Cameroon. I call him ”Mr Perfect” .He gave accurate crosses that were intended for Webo who was not always well positioned. Very impressive in his play style,vivacity and creativeness.
MBIA
Though he failed to check Honda which caused Cameroon a disaster, Mbia was at his best form yesterday.He was very energetic in carrying the balls and making passes up front. His thunder-bolt shot at 5 minutes to the end of the game would have made Cameroonians hopeful but hit on the bar.He was impressive.
EMANA
Emana who entered at the 64th minute was to bring more initiatives and creativeness at the attack but our play-maker lacked inspiration yesterday. Maybe he should start the next match.
ENOH EYONG
He was the most disappointing player yesterday. He was fond of missing duels, giving passes to the opponent and misdirecting his passes.He was however the only Cameroonian player who shot on target in the first 45 minutes.
CHOUPO MOTING
We could hardly believe this was his first international competition with Cameroon.He was trying to be creative and penetrate the Japanese defense unlike Achille Webo. He is a player with apt initiatives. He however failed to transform a glaring assist from Samuel Eto’o to a goal.His ball control at the right and left sides upfront were amazing.
NKOULOU
I was very satisfied with Nkoulou’s aggressive and defensive interventions. He was really combattive like an Indomitable Lion.
SOULEMANOU
Considered as first choice goalkeeper by Paul Le Guen side-lining Kameni Carlos, Soulemanou has failed to impress Cameroonians. He is very vulnerable and not convincing at all. He has received 5 goals in 2 matches.
WEBO
The Cameroonian attacker posed no threat to the Japanese defenders. He was a shadow of himself and did not show any intention of scoring a goal for Cameroon.Poor positioning was a problem with Webo and sometimes losing balls to the Japanese.
IDRISSOU ”15 unproductive minutes”
He took the place of Choupo Moting at the 75th minute. He suceeded in possessing some balls which he could not control with aptitude. He was not impressive and lacked inspiration yesterday. He spent 15 useless minutes on the field.
I disagree with most of your analysis of these bofoons…Assou Ekotto was undoubtedly the most productive on the field. Matip and choupo moting were the greatest mistake followed by makoun…and webo. I agree with you that Eto’o was definitely not impressive either..could be le guen’s fault or not, and i hope y’all see Milla’s point now. However impressive or not, I think they were all playing like they just left an achombo house – heavy and lazy! The japs were quick and resilient. **SIGH*** No matter what milla says he has his record with the team to back up. come on Guen and or Eto’o…Cameroon is getting sick and tired of getting sick and tired…it’s been a long time since the team has impressed us. Why don’t u guys just surprise me by not surprising me with another defeat…PLEASE!!!
I second Mac on his first phrase and include the administrator and Mac to disagree in their entirety. Assou Ekotto was out of the game. He loose soo much possession of the ball. Not blaming him personally..the team spirit was inexistent…our players were all nervous.No one was willing to take the lead..won’t blame the manager as he did all he could to prepare the team. Its Eto’s choice to play right but it completely backfired and as long as he continue playing right lets drop the hope.
PLAYERS RATINGS
SOULEYMANOU: Good work, closed down many through balls going behind our defense but he seriously needs to look after holes in his gloves, that can be dangerous in front of easing shooting guys like Robben,Bendtner,Sneidjer,Van der Vaart
NKOULOU:Smart, efficient, calm, strong and very comfortable with the ball, the boy has an incredible potential but guys let him alone lots of time
BASSONG:what is he waiting to explode?this is not the same dude we watched in the premier league with the Spurs, needs to show himself quickly before he regrets
MBIA: what on earth is Leguen doing to this boy? he isn’t a right back, he’s got a tremenduous amount of energy that we need in the middlefield to keep it busy;why Leguen?why are you doing this?Cameroon will never ever lack of a right back;what a waste
ASSOU EKOTTO: personnally, if i were coach, i would give him the capitaincy of the team, just by looking the guy play, you feel a leader, somebody who is ready to kill in order to protect the nation,to protect the african continent; fast, very technical,intelligent, but who supports him there?himself
MATIP: Simple, confident with his passing and brave, however he also needs to let it go, this is the world cup,we do not make calculation anymore, if you feel it, do it no matter what happens, we cameroonians like players who take responsabilities
EYONG ENOH: once again misused by Leguen, this is the new Lauren of Cameroon, this guy is able to play 3 games of 90 minutes in a row however in defensive middlefield,not organising the game,oh Leguen,what’s happening?
MAKOUN:if anybody saw him during the game, then you’ve got a third eye because even high technology cameras couldn’t find him, he’s useless, no use for the team
WEBO: we are gettting tired of his lack of creativity, what kind of strikers who can’t even control a simple ball is that?always fighting defensers instead of them fighting against him!we’re fed up, fed up,should play last 5 minutes
CHOUPO MOTING: at the beginning of the game, i felt that he was more relaxed than anybody in the field. The boy is not afraid to try, even if he misses but he keeps on trying, moreover he reads the game beautifully. However like his mates, he needs to let it go 100%, show the world that being a cameroonian striker is not given
ETO’O:what a waste my brothers, what a waste!Leguen knows deep inside himself that Eto’o playing as the center forward is more dangerous than AIDS, why is he? hiding him at the corner there? he is useless for the team.
EMANA: what has he possibly done to Leguen? somebody explains me that? there is no difference between Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka,etc…and Achille but our coach uses him as a substitute;
IDRISSOU: No comments!
NJITAP: his crosses we need, his lion earth we need,his freekicks we need, we need him more than ever
LEGUEN: now what? are the lions still getting better?does he ever think of building a solid starting lines, instead of giving us heart attack everytime we see the line-up?did he really ask to the player to give it all in order to come back?
Please people lets take etoo out of the team and you will see how well the team will play. We dont need him. He is not ready to die for his country but will do so when it comes to the white imperial masters in Europe. He is the problem to the team. NO ETOO.
Guys
if I see most of the comments…it ends with Le Guen…thats the person that killed our game…start with Alex Song, start with Emana…no matter what…these guys have the energy to push the game forward and if it doesnt move…then get Webo in and try your one and only tactic with Webo…
How can you guys blame Eto’o…when Le Geun plays with Webo and England plays with Rooney or Portugal plays with Ronaldo…guys our team (the choice of Le Guen) is below world cup standard…if we play with that…I bet you we are not a world cup team but a second division league team…Crazy Le Geun didnt see that ?? Alex, Emana, Manjeck sitting outside…is he ok ??